Abstract: A charge circuit interrupt device comprises a ground fault interrupt module, a current generation module and a current injection module. The ground fault interrupt module disconnects a load from a charging source when a current imbalance exceeds a threshold. The current generation module generates a balancing current based on the current imbalance. The current injection module inputs the balancing current into the charging source to oppose the current imbalance. The charge circuit interrupt device may further include an input balance disable control module that disables the current generation module from generating the balancing current when the current imbalance exceeds the threshold, and a current isolation module that isolates the charging source and the ground fault interrupt module, the current generation module and the current injection module.

Abstract: A method for transmitting diagnostic information that can include: selecting a frequency from a plurality of predetermined frequencies based on a first diagnostic condition; selecting a duty cycle from a plurality of predetermined duty cycles based on a second diagnostic condition; and generating a diagnostic signal that is transmitted over a single wire, the diagnostic signal being based on the selected frequency and the selected duty cycle. A system for communicating diagnostic information is also provided.

Abstract: A device for modifying an input signal having an input signal frequency and a duty cycle is disclosed. The device determines two separate counts for each of the high and low pulses of the input signal. One of the two counts for each of the high and low pulses is divided. The divided count is then compared with the undivided count. Based on this comparison, an output module outputs an output signal that has the same duty cycle as the input signal but at a frequency that is a multiple of the input signal frequency.

Abstract: The present teachings generally include a method of controlling a relay. The method generally includes momentarily initiating a pull-in pulse when an input signal indicates a first state. A sense resistor controller is activated based on the pull-in pulse. A current flow is controlled to bypass a sense resistor and flow to the relay based on the activation of the sense resistor controller. The relay is controlled based on the current flow.

Abstract: A charging system for a battery of a vehicle comprises an electrical interface module that includes first and second electrical interfaces. An inverter module communicates with the electrical interface module and the battery and has a first state and a second state. In the first state, the inverter module allows the battery to be charged through the first electrical interface when a voltage source is connected to the first electrical interface, the vehicle is off, and a charge level of the battery is less than a threshold. In the second state, the inverter module allows the battery to provide power to the second electrical interface when a voltage source is not connected to the first electrical interface, the vehicle is on, and/or the charge level of the battery is greater than or equal to the threshold.

Abstract: The present teachings generally include a method of controlling a relay. The method generally includes momentarily initiating a pull-in pulse when an input signal indicates a first state. A sense resistor controller is activated based on the pull-in pulse. A current flow is controlled to bypass a sense resistor and flow to the relay based on the activation of the sense resistor controller. The relay is controlled based on the current flow.

Abstract: A semiconductor device for an automotive power control center. The device can include first, second and third legs, a semiconductor and an insulating material. The semiconductor is coupled to the legs and configured to transmit relatively high current power between the first and second legs in response to a control signal transmitted via the third leg. The insulating material can encapsulate the semiconductor and portions of the first and second legs. The insulating material can pass through one or more apertures formed in each of the first and second legs to aid in structurally interlocking the first and second legs to one another. A method for forming a semiconductor device is also provided.

Abstract: A protection circuit detects short circuit and/or current overload conditions based on one of a current level and a current change rate di/dt of a current through a load. A detection device uses an inductor to detect current change rate and a resistor to detect current level, and generates a first voltage signal based on the voltages of the inductor and the resistor. A comparator generates a second voltage signal based on the voltage signal and a reference voltage signal. A switching circuit allows or interrupts current through the load based in part on the second voltage.

Abstract: A system for controlling a dual-speed motor includes a direct current (DC) power supply, a dual-speed DC motor, a first solid-state switch electrically coupled to the DC power supply and a low-speed input of the dual-speed DC motor, a second solid-state switch electrically coupled to the DC power supply and a high-speed input of the dual-speed DC motor, and a solid-state switch electrically coupled between the first solid-state switch and the low-speed input of the dual-speed DC motor, wherein a first side of the solid-state switch is coupled to a power supply side of the system and a second side of the solid-state switch is coupled to a load side of the system.

Abstract: A high-speed switching circuit with a low or zero inductance shunt resistor is constructed using a trace resistor having parallel overlying trace portions on opposite plane faces of a printed circuit board. The resulting shunt resistor is used in combination with a detector to input data to a microcontroller which controls an automotive load device such as a blower motor. The traces which form the resistor may be extended by horizontal or vertical zig-zag folding or a combination of the two.